A hugely popular series with a cumulative circulation of 45 million copies! "The Apothecary Diaries" by Natsu Hyuga Volumes 1-16, illustrated by Touko Shino Label: Hero Bunko Mao Mao, a young woman who was an apothecary in the pleasure district, is kidnapped and forced to work as a maid in the inner palace of a large country. She solves mysteries and incidents within the palace using her knowledge of poisons and medicine in this thrilling mystery. Mao Mao is discovered by the handsome eunuch Jinshi, and she thrives in the world of intrigue and women, uncovering Jinshi's true identity and the secrets of her own birth. I purchased this but have never read it, so it's new. There was no plastic wrapping around the books from the beginning.